Chapter 2: She was orphaned at a young age

Lilly took out her own sketch pad and started drawing. It was about much later, when a nurse opened the door and came inside bringing the patient her medication.

Patient P666 had already stopped drawing and was sitting on her bed observing the young girl in front of her. She wasn’t much older than Lilly but her days here made her look more than she actually was aged.

P666 obediently took her medication and went back to staring at Lilly.

Lilly noticed her looking and put up her sketch pad to show her what she drew. Following her action, the patient did the same. Lilly had to admit, this woman was very talented.

Lilly picked up her questionnaire, skimming her eyes over it.

“I need to get this filled. It’s for my school project.” Lilly started, a faint frown marred her eyes. “It’s due this Friday.”

Patient P666 heard her and picked up her sketch book again and got busy, completely ignoring her.

Lilly sighed internally. ‘This is gonna take some time.’

It was 4:30 and Lilly packed up her stuffs and headed for the door.

“I’m going now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Lilly turned back and saw her busy doing what she usually did, drawing.

Lilly came out of room 4011 and started walking towards the exit. Along the way she saw someone familiar.

“Hey Lilly, I didn't expect to see you here.” Doctor Richmond greeted her. He was her mother’s brother.

“Hello Uncle Richmond. What are you doing here? I thought you were in Africa for the camp?” Lilly asked. She always liked this uncle of her. He was so smart and always shared his cool stories with her.

“I arrived 3 days ago. I came here for a consultation.” Dr Alex Richmond started walking along with Lilly. He was a neurosurgeon and still unmarried. He was the only one of her mother’s family who was so successful.

“Does mom know?” Lilly gave him a pointed look.

Alex rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and shook his head in negative.

“Forget about me, what are you doing here?”

Lilly thought back to her patient. “For my school project. I’m here for my attachment.”

“You don’t sound excited.” Dr Alex raised his eye brow.

“She doesn’t talk. At all. Plus I have to submit my questionnaire by the end of this week and guess what,” Lilly stopped walking, frustrated, “it’s not even done yet.” She flailed her hands.

Alex Richmond saw his niece’s distress look.

“Who is this patient?” Alex asked interested.

“It’s from room 4011, P666.” Lilly answered.

“Come, let’s go.” Alex held Lilly’s hand and started walking back into the building.

“Where are we going?” Lilly asked while being pulled by her uncle.

“You’ll see.”

Lilly stood outside a room, with Dr William Horner written on the door.

Alex knocked on the door and entered.

Lilly saw a balding man in his late 50s sitting behind a table filled with papers.

Dr William Horner stretched his wrinkled faced into a warm smile at Alex and turned his sharp gaze at Lilly, giving her a warm smile as well.

“Dr Richmond, I thought you were leaving?”

“Dr Horner, this is my niece, Lilly Smith.” Alex introduced her. “She is one of the students who came here for their attachment from Columbia University.”

“And Lilly this is Dr William Horner, he is a senior consultant here.”

Lilly politely greeted the doctor.

Recognition flashed in old doctor’s eyes. “Ah yes, yes. Please sit down.”

“Tell me Lilly, how did you find your interaction with your patient so far?” Dr Horner asked happily.

Lilly gave him a stiff smile. “She hasn’t talked to me at all.”

She quickly added, “It has just been two days so it’s understandable.”

Dr Horner nodded his head. “I remember my attachment days. He was tough as a nacre.”

“I bought her some art supplies she seemed to like it.” Lilly sounded hopeful.

“Who is this patient?” Dr Horner asked.

“It’s from 4011, P666.”

Dr Horner tried to recall the patient in that room.

“Ah, yes. She was bought in 2 weeks ago from Westchester county jail.” He said rummaging his drawers for the said patient’s file.

Lilly added while nodding her head, “I’m aware. I’ve been informed of some details about her. I just know that she has been diagnosed with Othello syndrome amongst others which I have to evaluate myself and compare the results of my diagnosis.”

“Yes. She is a very special case.” Dr Horner handed Lilly the patient’s file. “What else do you know about her?"

Lilly confusedly stared at the file at hand and Dr Horner encouraged her to open it

.

“Is this real?” Lilly gasped and looked at Dr Horner in complete surprise. "I didn't know this about her."

“Yes, it may seem surprising to you but we have plenty of cases like her,” Dr Horner took off his glasses and wiped it, “As you can see the file barely contains anything. We have very little information about her.” He wore back his gold rimmed glasses.

Lilly touched the line where it stated that she was brought in for attempted murder and kidnaping and was awaiting trial.

“Her psychiatrist may know some more but this is as far as I can help.” Dr Horner took back the file. “I just know that her parents were killed and she was orphaned at a young age.”

Dr Horner, Lilly and Dr Richmond talked for a while. They were helping Lilly to think of ways she can approach her patient. Doctor Horner also shared some of his experiences with his patients.

“Thank you doctor Horner, for everything.” Lilly and Alex proceeded to stand up, “we will take your leave now.”

“My pleasure young lady and good luck.” Dr Horner smiled at them.

“Doctor,” Alex nodded his hand at him and both Lilly and he left the office.

By the time they came out it was starting to get dark.

“Why don’t you come home with me, mom will be excited to see you.” Lilly asked Alex as they both started walking towards the car park.

“Will your dad be home?” Alex asked while checking his watch.

Lilly stood near her car, “Yes.”

“Then no. I’ll come another time.” Alex denied gruffly.

“When will you and dad sort out your differences? It’s been 4 years now?” Lilly asked sadly.

“When he realizes his mistake of not letting you follow your dreams.” Alex looked at her getting a bit agitated. He remembered how Eric had torn Lilly’s acceptance letter to pursue her dream of being an artist and forced her to take psychology.

Lilly looked down at her shoes, fidgeting with her hands, “Its okay, I’ve come to accept it.” She whispered.

“And you should not. But I’m glad you are working hard.” Alex hugged her. “Now off you go, it’s getting late.”